Recent Advances in Bioactive Carbon Nanotubes Based on Polymer Composites for Biosensor Applications.

Recent breakthroughs in the field of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have opened up unprecedented opportunities for the development of specialized bioactive CNT-polymers for a variety of biosensor applications. The incorporation of bioactive materials, including DNA, aptamers and antibodies, into CNTs to produce composites of bioactive CNTs has attracted considerable attention. In addition, polymers are essential for the development of biosensors as they provide biocompatible conditions and are the ideal matrix for the immobilization of proteins. The numerous applications of bioactive compounds combined with the excellent chemical and physical properties of CNTs have led to the development of bioactive CNT-polymer composites. This article provides a comprehensive overview of CNT-polymer composites and new approaches to encapsulate bioactive compounds and polymers in CNTs. Finally, biosensor applications of bioactive CNT-polymer for the detection of glucose, H2O2 and cholesterol were investigated. The surface of CNT-polymer facilitates the immobilization of bioactive molecules such as DNA, enzymes or antibodies, which in turn enables the construction of state-of-the-art, future-oriented biosensors.

Recent advances in synergistic use of GQD-based hydrogels for bioimaging and drug delivery in cancer treatment.

Graphene quantum dot (GQD) integration into hydrogel matrices has become a viable approach for improving drug delivery and bioimaging in cancer treatment in recent years. Due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted interest as adaptable nanomaterials for use in biomedicine. When incorporated into hydrogel frameworks, these nanomaterials exhibit enhanced stability, biocompatibility, and responsiveness to external stimuli. The synergistic pairing of hydrogels with GQDs has created new opportunities to tackle the problems related to drug delivery and bioimaging in cancer treatment. Bioimaging plays a pivotal role in the early detection and monitoring of cancer. GQD-based hydrogels, with their excellent photoluminescence properties, offer a superior platform for high-resolution imaging. The tunable fluorescence characteristics of GQDs enable real-time visualization of biological processes, facilitating the precise diagnosis and monitoring of cancer progression. Moreover, the drug delivery landscape has been significantly transformed by GQD-based hydrogels. Because hydrogels are porous, therapeutic compounds may be placed into them and released in a controlled environment. The large surface area and distinct interactions of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with medicinal molecules boost loading capacity and release dynamics, ultimately improving therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, GQD-based hydrogels' stimulus-responsiveness allows for on-demand medication release, which minimizes adverse effects and improves therapeutic outcomes. The ability of GQD-based hydrogels to specifically target certain cancer cells makes them notable. Functionalizing GQDs with targeting ligands minimizes off-target effects and delivers therapeutic payloads to cancer cells selectively. Combined with imaging capabilities, this tailored drug delivery creates a theranostic platform for customized cancer treatment. In this study, the most recent advancements in the synergistic use of GQD-based hydrogels are reviewed, with particular attention to the potential revolution these materials might bring to the area of cancer theranostics.

Recent advances and synergistic effect of bioactive zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) for biosensing applications.

The rapid developments in the field of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) in recent years have created unparalleled opportunities for the development of unique bioactive ZIFs for a range of biosensor applications. Integrating bioactive molecules such as DNA, aptamers, and antibodies into ZIFs to create bioactive ZIF composites has attracted great interest. Bioactive ZIF composites have been developed that combine the multiple functions of bioactive molecules with the superior chemical and physical properties of ZIFs. This review thoroughly summarizes the ZIFs as well as the novel strategies for incorporating bioactive molecules into ZIFs. They are used in many different applications, especially in biosensors. Finally, biosensor applications of bioactive ZIFs were investigated in optical (fluorescence and colorimetric) and electrochemical (amperometric, conductometric, and impedance) fields. The surface of ZIFs makes it easier to immobilize bioactive molecules like DNA, enzymes, or antibodies, which in turn enables the construction of cutting-edge, futuristic biosensors.

Biosensors for metastatic cancer cell detection.

Early detection and effective cancer treatment are critical to improving metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and management today. In particular, accurate qualitative diagnosis of metastatic cancer cell represents an important step in the diagnosis of cancer. Today, biosensors have been widely developed due to the daily need to measure different chemical and biological species. Biosensors are utilized to quantify chemical and biological phenomena by generating signals that are directly proportional to the quantity of the analyte present in the reaction. Biosensors are widely used in disease control, drug delivery, infection detection, detection of pathogenic microorganisms, and markers that indicate a specific disease in the body. These devices have been especially popular in the field of metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and treatment due to their portability, high sensitivity, high specificity, ease of use and short response time. This article examines biosensors for metastatic cancer cells. It also studies metastatic cancer cells and the mechanism of metastasis. Finally, the function of biosensors and biomarkers in metastatic cancer cells is investigated.

Trinitroglycerin-loaded chitosan nanogels: Shedding light on cytotoxicity, antioxidativity, and antibacterial activities.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Trinitroglycerin (TNG) is a remarkable NO-releasing agent. Here, we synthesized TNG based on chitosan Nanogels (Ngs) for ameliorating complications associated with high-dose TNG administration. METHOD: TNG-Ngs fabricated through ionic-gelation technique. Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR), zeta-potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron microscopy techniques evaluated the physicochemical properties of TNG-Ngs. MTT was used to assess the biocompatibility of TNG-Ngs, as the antioxidative properties were determined via lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxide (LPO) assays. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). RESULTS: Physicochemical characterization reveals that TNG-Ngs with size diameter (96.2 ± 29 nm), polydispersity index (PDI, 0.732), and negative zeta potential (-1.1 mv) were fabricated. The encapsulation efficacy (EE) and loading capacity (LC) were obtained at 71.1 % and 2.3 %, respectively, with no considerable effect on particle size and morphology. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that HepG2 cells exposed to TNG-Ngs showed relative cell viability (RCV) of >80 % for 70 µg/ml compared to the TNG-free drug at the same concentration (P < 0.05). TNG-Ngs showed significant differences with the TNG-free drug for LDH, LPO, and ROS formation at the same concentration (P < 0.001). The antibacterial activity of the TNG-Ngs against S. aureus, E. coli, VRE, and MRSA was higher than the TNG-free drug and Ngs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TNG-Ngs with enhanced antibacterial and antioxidative activity and no obvious cytotoxicity might be afforded as novel nanoformulation for promoting NO-dependent diseases.

A New Approach in the Early Electrochemical Diagnosis of Hepatitis B Virus Infection using Carbon-based Nanomaterials.

The importance of early diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection to treat and follow up this disease has led to many advances in diagnostic techniques and materials. Conventional diagnostic tests are not very useful, especially in the early stages of infection; it is therefore suggested that nanomaterials can enhance them by changing and strengthening their performance for a more accurate and rapid diagnosis. Electrochemical immunosensors with unique features such as miniaturization, low cost, specificity, and simplicity have become a convenient and vital tool in the rapid diagnosis of hepatitis B. Different strategies have been presented, such as graphene oxide and gold nanorods [GO-GNRs], graphene oxide [GO], copper metal-organic framework/ electrochemically reduced graphene oxide [Cu-MOF/ErGO] composite, label-free graphene oxide/Fe3O4/Prussian Blue [GO/Fe3O4/PB] immunosensor, and graphene oxide-ferrocene-CS/Au [ GO-Fc-CS/Au] nanoparticle layered electrochemical immunosensor. In this review, we discuss a group of the most widely used nanostructures, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, which are used to develop electrochemical immunosensors for the early diagnosis of the hepatitis B virus.

Photocatalysis air purification systems for coronavirus removal: Current technologies and future trends.

Air pollution causes extreme toxicological repercussions for human health and ecology. The management of airborne bacteria and viruses has become an essential goal of air quality control. Existing pathogens in the air, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, can have severe effects on human health. The photocatalysis process is one of the favorable approaches for eliminating them. The oxidative nature of semiconductor-based photocatalysts can be used to fight viral activation as a green, sustainable, and promising approach with significant promise for environmental clean-up. The photocatalysts show wonderful performance under moderate conditions while generating negligible by-products. Airborne viruses can be inactivated by various photocatalytic processes, such as chemical oxidation, toxicity due to the metal ions released from photocatalysts composed of metals, and morphological damage to viruses. This review paper provides a thorough and evaluative analysis of current information on using photocatalytic oxidation to deactivate viruses.

Protective Effects of Xanthine Derivatives Against Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mouse Hepatic and Renal Tissues.

In this study, the protective efficacy of pentoxifylline (PTX) as a xanthine derivative against arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced kidney and liver damage in mice was investigated. Thirty-six mice were divided into six groups, receiving intraperitoneal injections of saline, ATO, PTX, or a combination for four weeks. Blood samples were analyzed for serum biochemistry, while hepatic tissue underwent examination for histopathological changes and assessment of oxidative stress markers and antioxidant gene expression through Real-Time PCR. ATO exposure significantly increased serum markers (creatinine, ALT, BUN, ALP, AST) and induced histopathological changes in the liver. Moreover, it elevated renal and hepatic nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, and reduced antioxidant enzyme expression (CAT, GSR, GPx, MPO, SOD), total thiol groups (TTGs), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Conversely, PTX treatment effectively lowered serum hepatic and renal markers, improved antioxidant markers, and induced histopathological alterations. Notably, PTX did not significantly affect renal and hepatic NO levels. These findings suggest that PTX offers therapeutic potential in mitigating liver and acute kidney injuries induced by various insults, including exposure to ATO.

Gold Fluorescence Nanoparticles for Enhanced SERS Detection in Biomedical Sensor Applications: Current Trends and Future Directions.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a pivotal tool in biomedical research, particularly in developing advanced sensing platforms for disease diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Since gold nanoparticles are biocompatible and have special optical characteristics, they are excellent choices for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing devices. Integrating fluorescence characteristics further enhances their utility in real-time imaging and tracking within biological systems. The synergistic combination of SERS and fluorescence enables sensitive and selective detection of biomolecules at trace levels, providing a versatile platform for early cancer diagnosis and drug monitoring. In cancer detection, AuNPs facilitate the specific targeting of cancer biomarkers, allowing for early-stage diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies. The enhanced sensitivity of SERS, coupled with the tunable fluorescence properties of AuNPs, offers a powerful tool for the identification of cancer cells and their microenvironment. This dual-mode detection not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also enables the monitoring of treatment response and disease progression. In drug detection, integrating AuNPs with SERS provides a robust platform for identifying and quantifying pharmaceutical compounds. The unique spectral fingerprints obtained through SERS enable the discrimination of drug molecules even in complex biological matrices. Furthermore, the fluorescence property of AuNPs makes it easier to track medication distribution in real-time, maximizing therapeutic effectiveness and reducing adverse effects. Furthermore, the review explores the role of gold fluorescence nanoparticles in photodynamic therapy (PDT). By using the complementary effects of targeted drug release and light-induced cytotoxicity, SERS-guided drug delivery and photodynamic therapy (PDT) can increase the effectiveness of treatment against cancer cells. In conclusion, the utilization of gold fluorescence nanoparticles in conjunction with SERS holds tremendous potential for revolutionizing cancer detection, drug analysis, and photodynamic therapy. The dual-mode capabilities of these nanomaterials provide a multifaceted approach to address the challenges in early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and personalized medicine, thereby advancing the landscape of biomedical applications.

Stimuli-responsive hydrogel based on natural polymers for breast cancer.

Aims: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in both high- and low-resource settings. Conventional breast cancer therapies were inefficient and had low patient compliance. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels possessing similar physicochemical features as soft tissue facilitate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for breast cancer subtypes. Scope: Polysaccharides and polypeptides are major natural polymers with unique biocompatibility, biodegradability, and feasible modification approaches utilized frequently for hydrogel fabrication. Alternating the natural polymer-based hydrogel properties in response to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, light, ultrasonic, enzyme, glucose, magnetic, redox, and electric have provided great potential for the evolution of novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) and various advanced technologies in medical applications. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels are triggered by specific cancer tissue features, promote target delivery techniques, and modify release therapeutic agents at localized sites. This narrative review presented innovation in preparing and characterizing the most common stimuli-responsive natural polymer-based hydrogels for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the breast cancer area. Conclusion: Stimuli-responsive hydrogels display bioinspiration products as DDSs for breast cancer subtypes, protect the shape of breast tissue, provide modified drug release, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and minimize chemotherapy agents' side effects. The potential benefits of smart natural polymer-based hydrogels make them an exciting area of practice for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The effect of BsmI (rs1544410) single nucleotide polymorphism of vitamin D receptor (VDR) on insulin resistance in healthy children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance are driven by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. One of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR gene associated with vitamin D levels is the rs1544410 SNP. This study examined the association of the rs1544410 polymorphism with insulin resistance to predict and screen for possible association with type 2 diabetes and target these individuals for appropriate treatment. This cross-sectional study examined 270 children and adolescents aged 9 to 18 years. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were determined. Insulin resistance/sensitivity was determined using Quicki, HOMA-IR, MacAuley, Revised MacAuley, Bennetts, FIRI and insulin-to-glucose ratio. The BsmI single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1544410) was determined using the PCR-RFLP method after extracting DNA from peripheral blood collected from fasted subjects, and the resulting data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical tests.According to linear regression analysis, a significant difference was found in Insulin to glucose ratio, FIRI and HOMA-IR indices between Bb / bb and BB genotypes and it was observed that individuals with BB genotype polymorphism of BsmI vitamin D receptor gene, after Adjustment of age, sex, BMI are at greater risk for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.This study demonstrated that those with the BB genotype of VDR BsmI polymorphism were at higher risk for insulin resistance and developing type 2 DM.

Bioresource Polymer Composite for Energy Generation and Storage: Developments and Trends.

The ever-growing demand of human society for clean and reliable energy sources spurred a substantial academic interest in exploring the potential of biological resources for developing energy generation and storage systems. As a result, alternative energy sources are needed in populous developing countries to compensate for energy deficits in an environmentally sustainable manner. This review aims to evaluate and summarize the recent progress in bio-based polymer composites (PCs) for energy generation and storage. The articulated review provides an overview of energy storage systems, e. g., supercapacitors and batteries, and discusses the future possibilities of various solar cells (SCs), using both past research progress and possible future developments as a basis for discussion. These studies examine systematic and sequential advances in different generations of SCs. Developing novel PCs that are efficient, stable, and cost-effective is of utmost importance. In addition, the current state of high-performance equipment for each of the technologies is evaluated in detail. We also discuss the prospects, future trends, and opportunities regarding using bioresources for energy generation and storage, as well as the development of low-cost and efficient PCs for SCs.

Recent Progress in Prompt Molecular Detection of Exosomes Using CRISPR/Cas and Microfluidic-Assisted Approaches Toward Smart Cancer Diagnosis and Analysis.

Exosomes are essential indicators of molecular mechanisms involved in interacting with cancer cells and the tumor environment. As nanostructures based on lipids and nucleic acids, exosomes provide a communication pathway for information transfer by transporting biomolecules from the target cell to other cells. Importantly, these extracellular vesicles are released into the bloodstream by the most invasive cells, i. e., cancer cells; in this way, they could be considered a promising specific biomarker for cancer diagnosis. In this matter, CRISPR-Cas systems and microfluidic approaches could be considered practical tools for cancer diagnosis and understanding cancer biology. CRISPR-Cas systems, as a genome editing approach, provide a way to inactivate or even remove a target gene from the cell without affecting intracellular mechanisms. These practical systems provide vital information about the factors involved in cancer development that could lead to more effective cancer treatment. Meanwhile, microfluidic approaches can also significantly benefit cancer research due to their proper sensitivity, high throughput, low material consumption, low cost, and advanced spatial and temporal control. Thereby, employing CRISPR-Cas- and microfluidics-based approaches toward exosome monitoring could be considered a valuable source of information for cancer therapy and diagnosis. This review assesses the recent progress in these promising diagnosis approaches toward accurate cancer therapy and in-depth study of cancer cell behavior.

Effect of lactobacillus reuteri-derived probiotic nano-formulation on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the therapeutic effects of a topical probiotic nano-formulation derived from Lactobacillus reuteri on treating recurrent aphthous stomatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 participants were randomly allocated into two groups (control and probiotic). Probiotic group administered topical probiotic nano-formulation three times a day for seven days. The control group administered a standard analgesic oral rinse. The size of ulcer(s) and pain severity were recorded on days 0, 3, 5, and 7 after intervention. RESULTS: Before the intervention, the groups had no significant differences in terms of pain severity (P-value = 0.28) and lesion size (P-value = 0.24). Both groups exhibited significant reductions in pain severity and lesion size over the course of the intervention. After one week, the probiotic group had a notably larger lesion size reduction than the control group (P-value = 0.01). The probiotic group also showed a significantly greater reduction in pain severity than the control group (P-value = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Applying topical probiotic nano-formulation derived from Lactobacillus reuteri three times a day decreased lesion size and pain severity in RAS patients faster than the local analgesic oral rinse. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lactobacillus reuteri-derived probiotic nano-formulation might be a promising treatment option for RAS.

Exploring the potential and safety of quantum dots in allergy diagnostics.

Biomedical investigations in nanotherapeutics and nanomedicine have recently intensified in pursuit of new therapies with improved efficacy. Quantum dots (QDs) are promising nanomaterials that possess a wide array of advantageous properties, including electronic properties, optical properties, and engineered biocompatibility under physiological conditions. Due to these characteristics, QDs are mainly used for biomedical labeling and theranostic (therapeutic-diagnostic) agents. QDs can be functionalized with ligands to facilitate their interaction with the immune system, specific IgE, and effector cell receptors. However, undesirable side effects such as hypersensitivity and toxicity may occur, requiring further assessment. This review systematically summarizes the potential uses of QDs in the allergy field. An overview of the definition and development of QDs is provided, along with the applications of QDs in allergy studies, including the detection of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE), food allergens, and sIgE in cellular tests. The potential treatment of allergies with QDs is also described, highlighting the toxicity and biocompatibility of these nanodevices. Finally, we discuss the current findings on the immunotoxicity of QDs. Several favorable points regarding the use of QDs for allergy diagnosis and treatment are noted.

Pharmacotechnical aspects of a stable probiotic formulation toward multidrug-resistance antibacterial activity: design and quality control.

As a well-known group of the probiotic family, the Lactobacillus has increasingly contributed to hindering the growth of pathogens, particularly resistant species, in the last decades. Since antibiotic resistance has become a severe problem in global healthcare systems and considerably increased the mortality and morbidity rate in infectious diseases, we aimed to obtain a new stable formulation of Lactobacillus to overcome resistant infections. For this purpose, we designed various gel formulations containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a water base and oil base gel, evaluated the probiotic stability in formulation to obtain an optimum formulation, and finally, investigated the antibacterial activities of that against two common hospital-associated multidrug-resistant pathogens, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Furthermore, the pharmaceutical aspects of the optimum formulation, including stability, homogeneity, spreadability, pH value, conductivity, and rheological behavior, were assessed.The results indicated that the optimum formulation based on glycerol exhibited desirable pharmaceutical properties, including long-term stability, a perfect level of homogeneity, an acceptable range of spreadability with pseudo-plastic thixotropic behavior, and a promising antibacterial potential against MRSA and VRE. Our findings indicate that this novel probiotic formulation could be an excellent candidate to cope with antibiotic-resistant species, representing a hopeful treatment potential for topical applications, particularly in incurable infections. However, further in vivo studies seem warranted to evaluate their bactericidal activity against multi-drug resistant microorganisms.

Ganoderma lucidum methanolic extract as a potent phytoconstituent: characterization, in-vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity.

Ganoderma lucidum methanolic extract (GLME) has attracted tremendous attention due to its exceptional antimicrobial and anticancer properties that can be delicately tuned by controlling the initial extraction's content and concentration. Herein, we detailed the characterization, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic performance of GLME as a potential multi-functional therapeutic agent. Accordingly, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, and HPLC analyses were employed to assess the samples, followed by disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods to test its antibacterial effects against four Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, viz., Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MTT assay was applied to determine the cytotoxic activity of GLME against PDL and Hek-293 normal cell lines and MCF-7 and K-562 cancer cell lines. The IC50 values of 598 µg mL-1 and 291 µg mL-1 were obtained for MCF-7 and K-562 cancer cell lines, which confirmed the stronger anticancer activity of the GLME against blood cancer cells than breast cancer cells. This is while the IC50 of normal Hek-293 cells is 751 µg mL-1, and the lowest toxicity was observed for normal PDL cells with more than 57% survival at a concentration of 3000 µg mL-1. The results showed that the antibacterial property of this product against E.coli bacteria was higher than streptomycin, so the zone of inhibition was observed as 44 ± 0.09 mm and 30 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. These data provide valuable insights into the therapeutic usage of GLME for treating breast and blood cancers. This work is motivated by research studies looking for pharmacological products to address chronic and acute diseases, where further resources and studies are required to explore such products' adverse effects and toxicity.

A novel chitosan-based doxepin nano-formulation for chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Considering the prevalence of oral mucositis, we aimed to use the analgesic effects of doxepin with chitosan's antimicrobial and bio-adhesive nature to fabricate a nano-formulation for treating chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nanogel was fabricated via ionic gelation and characterized. Sixty patients were randomly divided and received four different treatments for 14 days: diphenhydramine + aluminum-magnesium mouthwash (control), doxepin mouthwash (DOX MW), chitosan nanogel (CN), and doxepin/chitosan nanogel (CN + DOX). Lesions were assessed with four indices, National Cancer Institute (NCI), World Health Organization (WHO), World Conference on Clinical and Research in Nursing (WCCNR) and visual analog scale (VAS) before and 3, 7, and 14 days after interventions. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for pairwise comparison. RESULTS: CN had semisolid consistency, uniform spherical shape, an average size of 47.93 ± 21.69 nm, and a zeta potential of + 1.02 ± 0.16 mV. CN + DOX reduced WHO, WCCNR, and VAS scores significantly more than the control three days after the intervention. Seven days after the intervention, CN + DOX reduced NCI and WCCNR considerably more than the control; it reduced WCCNR significantly more than CN. Fourteen days after the intervention, CN + DOX decreased NCI markedly more than the control. CONCLUSION: Chitosan-based doxepin nano-formulation might be a promising alternative for routine treatments of oral mucositis.

Recent Advances in Quantum Dot-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassays for the Rapid, Point-of-Care Diagnosis of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred demand for efficient and rapid diagnostic tools that can be deployed at point of care to quickly identify infected individuals. Existing detection methods are time consuming and they lack sensitivity. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its user-friendliness, rapidity, and high specificity and sensitivity. Such tests can be conveniently conducted at the patient's bedside. Immunodiagnostic methods that offer the rapid identification of positive cases are urgently required. Quantum dots (QDs), known for their multimodal properties, have shown potential in terms of combating or inhibiting the COVID-19 virus. When coupled with specific antibodies, QDs enable the highly sensitive detection of viral antigens in patient samples. Conventional lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) have been widely used for diagnostic testing due to their simplicity, low cost, and portability. However, they often lack the sensitivity required to accurately detect low viral loads. Quantum dot (QD)-based lateral flow immunoassays have emerged as a promising alternative, offering significant advancements in sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) method, which fulfils POCT standards, has gained popularity in diagnosing COVID-19. This review focuses on recent advancements in QD-based LFIA for rapid POCT COVID-19 diagnosis. Strategies to enhance sensitivity using QDs are explored, and the underlying principles of LFIA are elucidated. The benefits of using the QD-based LFIA as a POCT method are highlighted, and its published performance in COVID-19 diagnostics is examined. Overall, the integration of quantum dots with LFIA holds immense promise in terms of revolutionizing COVID-19 detection, treatment, and prevention, offering a convenient and effective approach to combat the pandemic.

The effect of nanobased irrigants on the root canal dentin microhardness: an ex-vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Given the favorable antimicrobial properties of zinc oxide (ZnONPs), standard silver (AgNPs), and imidazolium-based silver (Im-AgNPs) nanoparticles, this study aimed to evaluate their influence on the microhardness of root canal dentin. METHODS: In this experimental study, 40 mandibular premolars were decoronated at the cementoenamel junction and longitudinally sectioned into halves to create 80 specimens. They were randomly allocated to 5 groups (n = 16) and irrigated with ZnONPs, AgNPs, Im-AgNPs, NaOCl, or normal saline (as the negative control) for 15 min. The Vickers Hardness Number (VHN) was measured on each root canal third before and after being soaked in irrigants. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Im-AgNPs and ZnONPs irrigants improved the microhardness of root dentin, whereas, AgNPs and NaOCl decreased it. ZnONPs yielded the highest VHN at the coronal third (P˂0.001), while the Im-AgNPs provided the highest VHN at the middle and apical thirds (P˂0.001). The AgNPs group showed the lowest VHN at the apical third. CONCLUSIONS: The irrigants containing Im-AgNPs and ZnONPs significantly enhanced the root dentin microhardness. However, the use of AgNPs resulted in decreased microhardness.